A new year-long series entitled “Kids in the Parks” has been created by Chris Allen, program assistant at the Hancock Park District, and is scheduled to begin Saturday, Jan. 18. This new series of outdoor fun is designed to get kids of all ages and their families outside to “Discover Your Hancock Park” once a month on a designated Saturday.
Participants can expect to explore many of the different areas of the parks throughout the year. Each outing will help participants experience a variety of outdoor activities that will benefit them physically and mentally as they connect with their local, natural environment.
Each time a child attends he or she will receive a colored bead to add to a parks activity chain, and at the end of the year there will be something special for those who have attended at least eight of the 12 programs. Some of the programs may require pre-registration with a nominal fee by contacting the HPD office by the Friday before the event. Participants are reminded to dress comfortably for outdoor play, weather and ground conditions.
Any additional information or questions can be obtained by contacting the Hancock Park District office, located at 1424 E. Main Cross St., Findlay, by phone at 419-425-7275 or online at www.HancockParks.com.
The 2014 series will include a wide variety of activities and topics including:
• Jan. 18 — “Winter Hike:” 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Riverbend Recreation Area, Shelter 1. Get out and enjoy a brisk hike in the winter woods.
• Feb. 1 — “Ground Hog Day:” 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Oakwoods Nature Preserve — Come out and enjoy the only holiday we celebrate a mammal, the groundhog. Program will include a story, activities and a craft.
• March 29 — “Sniff it out Hike:” 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Riverbend Recreation Area — We will meet outside Shelter 1 and take a hike to sniff out the smells of spring.
• April 5 — “Spring Scavenger Hunt Hike:” 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Oakwoods Nature Preserve — Take a spring hike to look for those special signs. What is the first flower to pop up?
• May 31 — “Let’s Go Fly a Kite:” 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Riverbend Recreation Area, Shelter 5 — Join us for a kite making and flying afternoon. Materials will be supplied to make your own kite. Registration is $1.50 per person and due by Friday, May 30 at the HPD office.
• June 14 — “Life in a Log:” 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Riverbend Recreation Area, Shelter 1 — What lives in that dead log you walk past as you go strolling through the woods? You might find something with eight legs or maybe something slimy.
• July 12 — “Butterflies:” 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Aeraland Recreation Area — Explore the world of butterflies as we hike. Nothing can capture a child’s imagination like a butterfly, or caterpillar.
• Aug. 9 — “Wildlife at Night:” 7 p.m., Riverbend Recreation Area, Shelter 3 — Enjoy an evening hike to explore the creatures of the night. Whoooo knows what we might get to see?
• Sept. 6 — “I Spy in the Park Hike:” 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Blue Rock Nature Preserve — Take in a game of “I Spy.” Can you see something I can’t see? There are lots of hidden treasures in the parks
• Oct. 25 — “Colors Hike:” 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Riverbend Recreation Area, Shelter 1 — Fall is finally here. Take a breath while looking at the colors. Bring a camera and get some great pictures.
• Nov. 15 — “Apples to Nuts Hike:” 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Litzenberg Memorial Woods — Come store up some fall fun before winter officially comes. We will hike the woods looking for those little critters that are storing up all the nuts they can before winter arrives.
• Dec. 20 — “Winter Tracks:” 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Riverbend Recreation Area, Shelter 3 — Search for what might be leaving a track for us to follow. Winter snow can be the best way to track those winter animals that are still out and about.